The Human and the Divine

While reading The Odyssey atomic number 53 can not jock only when wonder at the relationship betwixt immortals and mortals. It appears to be a complicated give and take. Not only do the gods reign the universe of discourse, but they try to rule each(prenominal) other, in a tug of war that can adhesiveness a persons outflank intentions (226-228). The gods foresee to be worshipped and forgivings expect the gods to final result petitions. However, how the gods respond can take off under ones skin or break a life or even a civilization. The gods of bulls eyes story are not omnipresent, as is demonstrated by means of their moving crosswise the earth gathering in instituteation or intervening in a mortals life. genus Athene demonstrates her lack of omnipresence by visit the home of Odysseus to observe what is going on in his base (227). In contrast, todays Judaism, Christianity, and Islam have an omnipresent god. The gods, for their attain purposes, also utilize disg uises in night club to act with people. A person knew that at any given trice he may possibly be interacting with a god. about of Penelopes suitors note this and say, A for break downful show, that--hitting this famished tramp--bad business, if he happened to be a god (443). Athena also appears several times as a humankind and moves freely among people (230). earthly concern knows that the gods pull strings, manage their lives, and act prosperity or ill-treat to whom they will. Sometimes the gods use contrivance and goad a human into action, as Athena does bit speaking to Telemakhos about displace a stop to the suitors impudence. She manipulates him by saying, You need not deliver this insolence of theirs, you are no longer a sister [emphasis added] (232). Poseidon takes a more look approach and causes harm to Odysseus and his gang (226). Since the gods intervene so much, it is no wonder that people send them for the bad and the good things that happen. much(pre nominal) is the case when Odysseus exclaims ! that Zeus the son of Kronos brought me gobble up (461). In this instance, Odysseus claims that his own actions did not cause his decline to a beggar, but was a gods fault. Humanity has two main duties to the gods: To make sacrifices in the form of meat, blood, grain, honey, and wine, and to pray to the gods (281, 247, 374, and 461). However, neither of these means that one would find estimation with the gods. It is interesting to note that humanity expects answers from the deities.

Homer makes it clear that in that location is a back and forrad communication, such as when Odysseus prays for a positive sign indic ating that his precipitate home is blessed. Zeus answers with a loud clap of thunder. eve those that did not pray at that mo custodyt knew that someones supplication had been answered (476-477). The interactions between mortals and immortals is complex, and yet simple. The gods run the world and the affairs of men and men pray to the gods, while hoping for a positive response. It is as though the world is a granular board for the immortals and they do what they involve on a whim. opt can be with a person and suddenly lost. Everything from the acclivity sun to the storms at ocean is handled by the gods. Meanwhile, humans intrust that they will not get caught on the wrong expression of a gods temper. Work Cited Lawall, Sarah, Ed. The Norton Anthology of demesne Literature: Beginning to 100. second ed. Vol. A. London: W.W. Norton and Company, 2001. Odyssey. pp. 388-401 and 416-516. If you want to get a full essay, order it on our websi te: OrderCusto! mPaper.com

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